Tourmaline · National
Tourmaline Indigenous Student Bursaries
About this award
Get annual financial support for your post-secondary studies if you are an Indigenous student from Alberta or British Columbia — apply by August 1, November 1, or February 1. Apply through Indspire's central Building Brighter Futures program — one application covers all sponsor pools.
The provider does not post a fixed dollar amount — contact Tourmaline to confirm the value for your specific award before you apply. As a bursary, this money is yours to keep and you do not have to pay it back. This is for you if you are an Indigenous student from a home community in Alberta or British Columbia who has demonstrated financial need. You have three deadlines to choose from: August 1, November 1, and February 1. No notification timeline is posted publicly — when you apply, ask how and when you will hear back via email, portal, or phone. Selection criteria aren't published — ask Tourmaline how winners are chosen and roughly how many applicants they typically receive so you can judge your odds. Ask Tourmaline during your application how the money will reach you — some awards pay students directly, others apply funds to tuition. Confirm this so you can plan your cash flow. Renewal conditions aren't listed — if you are counting on this for multiple years, confirm with Tourmaline whether it is one-time or renewable and what you need to maintain. How to apply: This funding is administered through Indspire's Building Brighter Futures Bursaries & Scholarships program. Students complete one central application that's evaluated against all 360+ of Indspire's funding pools (including this one) — you don't apply to the sponsor directly. The Apply button on this page routes to Indspire's portal automatically. For the full program description, all three application deadlines, and detailed eligibility, see Indspire Building Brighter Futures Bursaries & Scholarships on FundMyCourse.
Can you get it?
- Indigenous — citizenship requirement
- Post Secondary — study level
- Resident of AB, BC — provincial eligibility
How to apply
Review eligibility and gather your documents~1 hour
Read the official award page end-to-end. Confirm you meet every requirement before you start.
Submit by No deadline~1 hour
Double-check every field, save a copy, and submit at least 24 hours early.
More details
The biggest mistake is providing a vague statement about needing money.
Winners instead provide a clear budget showing exactly how the annual financial awards will cover their tuition or living costs.
List your specific gaps in funding to prove your demonstrated financial need.
The biggest mistake is using a generic character reference.
Winners instead secure letters from community leaders or Elders in their home communities in Alberta or British Columbia.
Get a letter that confirms your ties to your community and your goals for your program of study.